Chance of Tighter Monetary Policy Boosts Sterling and Euro
Morning mid-market rates – The majors
July 3rd: Highlights
- Monetary accommodation coming to end
- Euro at 14-month high
- Sterling holds steady as political crisis wanes
Central Banks draw same conclusion
It would appear that researchers and policy advisers have come to the same conclusion. The global financial crisis is definitely over and, perhaps more importantly, they believe that policies are in place that mean it cannot happen again.
Janet Yellen the FOMC Chair at a conference in London last week commented that she believed the world wouldn’t see another such crisis in our lifetimes. That is a big call given that the “too big to fail” global banks have managed to resist calls for their influence to be curbed without safety valves put in place.
We are still some way from a global economy that is growing to such an extent that tighter monetary policy will become the norm but the bias is shifting.
The Euro has climbed to a fourteen-month high against the dollar reaching just shy of 1.1450 as previous resistance levels gave way. There is now strong support at 1.1280 and 1.1200 so any correction should be shallow.
Mario Draghi and Mark Carney, Heads of the ECB and BoE respectively, both spoke at a conference in Lisbon last week and, in their own way, ushered in a new era. Their motives are poles apart but their sentiments are the same.
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Euro gains not limited to Monetary Policy change
Victories for Mark Rutte in the Netherlands and Emmanuel Macron in France showed that the political will to forge a “New Europe” is strong and growing. Germany goes to the polls later in the year to re-elect Angela Merkel for a fourth term and the potential crisis in Italy has abated. The Eurozone has also been handed a boost by the political turmoil in the U.K. weakening the ruling Conservative party’s Brexit bargaining position.
Mario Draghi remains cautious over the inflation outlook feeling that until inflation returns to close to the ECB’s target of 2% region-wide any change to interest rates runs the risk of bringing about an inequality where the nations of the west; Germany France Belgium and the Netherlands continue to grow but those of the east where growth is patchier could easily fall back into recession. He wants to keep accommodation, if possible, but has conceded the need for a normalization by reining in the Asset Purchase Scheme.
U.K. facing tough summer but Political storm abates
This was very nearly the case as the Government lost its majority and she was blamed for a lacklustre and unpopular campaign. Several issues culminating in the terrible Grenfell Tower fire weakened her almost to the point of departure. However, last week’s deal with the Northern Irish Nationalists followed by wins, albeit, small ones, in important Parliamentary votes has bought her and her Party some breathing space.
Parliament rises for the summer recess on July 21st and there is now certainty that the Government will survive at least until then.
Sterling has performed well over the past week, rising against both a weaker dollar and a rampant Euro.
Against the Euro, the pound remains supported at and just above the 0.8800 level and closed on Friday marginally stronger at 0.8772.
This week’s events of note
A week of data releases will be inevitably dominated by the U.S. employment report on Friday. Prior to that traders will be looking for data to back up recent hawkish Central Bank comments
MONDAY
- U.K.: Speech by Andrew Haldane – Following his more hawkish stance on Monetary Policy, BoE Chief Economist is expected to “put some meat on the bones” of his reasoning
- U.S. : Manufacturing activity Index – A stronger number that has been seen recently is expected following recent stronger orders data
- Eurozone: Manufacturing activity Index – Pockets of weaker activity are still there but overall activity is growing
TUESDAY
- Australia: Rate Decision – No change expected but a hawkish statement will drive AUD higher
- U.K.: Inflation Report Hearing – Carney faces MP’s to discuss the inflation outlook. His moefr hawkish stance will be to the fore
WEDNESDAY
- Eurozone: ECB non-monetary policy meeting – ECB Council members get a chance to discuss their holiday plans since monetary policy is off the table for tis meeting.
- Eurozone: Services activity data – A significant improvement is expected.
- U.S.: FOMC minutes – How hawkish is the FOMC and why? “Irrational exuberance” in stock markets likely to have been driver of rate hike
THURSDAY
- U.S: Services activity index – This has been weak over recent months but a stronger number is expected for June
- U.K.: NIESR GDP Estimate – Private research institute gives its estimate of past three months growth. Usually proves to be very accurate. 0.2% growth, unchanged from previous three months is expected
- U.SADP Private Sector employmentThe curtain raiser for Fridays NFP Employment report. Usually bears little resemblance to Fridays number but a significant fall from last month’s +253k to +178k expected.
FRIDAY
- U.S.: Employment Report – Last months lower than expected +138k likely to be revised upwards. However, should there be a downwards revision, FOMC policy will be questioned. June headline likely to be around +180k.
- Canada: Employment Report – Given recent BoC comments an upside surprise is possible. Last months 6.6% unemployment rate has room for improvement.
Have a great day!
About Alan Hill
Alan has been involved in the FX market for more than 25 years and brings a wealth of experience to his content. His knowledge has been gained while trading through some of the most volatile periods of recent history. His commentary relies on an understanding of past events and how they will affect future market performance.”
